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Rome: Miracle of the Madonna of the Snow

Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore, 42, Rome, Italy

According to legend, in 352 AD, a rich and bored Roman gentleman experienced a vivid dream in which the Virgin Mary told him that a certain hill in Rome would be covered in snow in the morning, and that he should then use his money to build a church on that site. Being that Rome was deep in a steamy ...

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Rome: Feast of San Lorenzo

Basilica di San Lorenzo Via Tiburtina, Rome, Italy

The martyrdom of San Lorenzo is celebrated in Rome with fireworks and celebrations throughout the area around his crypt on the Via Tiburtina, where he was killed in 258 AD. The patron saint of librarians, firemen, bakers, and other professions whose jobs involve fire and roasting, San Lorenzo's association with such incendiary professions is certainly a disturbing one -- His ...

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Positano (Amalfi Coast): Landing of the Saracens

Unnamed Venue Positano, Italy

On this summer evening at sunset, costumed actors re-enact the battle that took place on the night of August 15, 1558. The landing of the Saracens is also celebrated with music, food and a certainly gorgeous sunset, making this an event for the whole family. Dream of Italy is a membership website and award-winning travel publication publishing 170 issues since ...

Free
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Civitavecchia (Lazio): Feast of the Sea (Il Padellone)

Unnamed Venue Civitavecchia, Italy

Civitavecchia rings in the anniversary of its founding, as well as the defeat of the Saracens, in charming seaside style: A boat race, historical procession and a gastronomical fair featuring huge quantities of free seafood, and in particular, a gigantic Padellone -- a giant platter of fried fish that especially encapsulates the anniversary of the founding of the city. Other celebrations ...

Free
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Cappelle sul Tavo (Abruzzo): Palio of the Dancing Dolls

To kick off ferragosto this friendly battle, also called the Palio delle Pupe, amongst 14 neighboring towns in Abruzzo puts on a show for spectators. Pupe are papier-mache lifesized dolls and are covered in fireworks. For over 40 years these dolls have a dance "battle" where representatives from the towns climb up inside the doll and perform a dance to folk ...

Free
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Ferragosto

It's the summer and in August many Italians are looking forward to Ferragosto which starts on August 15th. It's known as a two-week vacation period with roots in ancient Rome. When Emperor Augustus invented the feriae Augusti to mark the end harvest he also made it a moment that signified a period of well-deserved rest. Later, during the fascist regime, this ...

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Ferrara: Buskers Festival

This August, if you find yourself in Emilia-Romagna take a train and walk through the historic streets of Ferrara and meet international street musicians as they perform various genres of music from around the world. The festival was originated by Stefano Bottoni, a native ferrarese, who was inspired by his visit to New York in the 1980s to see his own ...

Free
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Nuoro (Sardinia): The Feast of the Redeemer

Unnamed Venue Nuoro, Italy

Since August 29th, 1901, when Pope Leo XIII erected a bronze, 23 ft. tall statue of Christ the Redeemer on Monte Ortobene in honor of the Jubilee Year, locals and visitors have participated in celebratory procession to the statue from Nuoro's Cathedral. At Dawn, the faithful participants of the march congregate in the square outside the cathedral. They sing songs ...

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Montepulciano: Barrel Race

Every last Sunday of August this Tuscan hilltop town is consumed in the, by then, week-long celebration of the Bravio delle Botti, also known as the "Barrel Race". The festivities kick off with the presentation of the Bravium, the victory banner, which is painted each year by a select artist with a winning design based on on a specific theme; the ...

Free

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Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Italy

Unnamed Venue Bologna, Italy

Lace up those running shoes, get that last swig of water and be sure to get a good stretch in; the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is on again. The Italian branch of the organization hosts a series of events and workshops promoting good health and exercise leading up to a big race in efforts to raise money ...

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